Lonavala

Lonavala is a popular hill station at a height of 625 meters above the sea level in the western region of the state
Maharashtra. The expanse of this exquisite hill station is about 38 square km. Lonavala, located by Sir Elphinstone, the
then Governor of Bombay Presidency in 1871, derived its name from a Sanskrit word Lonavli means caves. The plenty
of caves like Bhaja caves, Bedsa caves and Karla caves brought the name Lonavala to the city.

This has been famed as a health resort due to its unpolluted environments and the pleasant climate all through the
year. This is attracted by thousands of tourists, domestic as well as foreign, every year. Monsoon is the best with
waterfalls, thriving lakes with full of water and lush greeneries all around. Chikki, the hard candy sweet, is a specialty
item in Lonavala and is famous among the visitors to Lonavala.

Lonavala is a romantic gateway from the hustle and bustle of the crowded metropolitan life in Mumbai and Pune. This
hill station forms a part of breathtaking Sahyadri hills and is a perfect location for hiking and trekking. The place is
bestowed with many historical forts, ancient caves and wonderful serene lakes. Lonavala offers panoramic views of
Deccan plateau in one side and the other side the Konkan coast.

Lonavala offer all luxurious facility to the tourists. Many ancient model resorts, most modern architectural luxurious
holes and eye catching scenic attractions all make this place a grandeur spot for holiday vacations. Cool climate,
serene ambience and all facilities for secluded stay are the great offers of this natural gift.

Attractions
Koli Temple (Aai Ekvira Temple)
Koli temple, a temple of the Koli (fishermen) community in Lonavala, is located outside the
main chaitya of Karla caves. The tribal Goddess Aai Ekvira is the main deity here. The Koli
tribes throng to this temple during special occasions like navarathri and chaitra. One can see
the koli fishermen community populaces walking all through the hilly terrains to reach the
temple with festivities, Koli dances and folk music.

Koli tribes offer animal sacrifices in this temple, they offer the sacrifice of goat or chickens
and they believe that the tribal Goddess has majestic powers.

Karla Caves
Karla Caves are the largest cave temple (chaitya) in India and is located in Lonavala. These
rock cut caves are assumed to be built around 100 AD by Buddhist nuns. The marvelous
ancient Karla Caves are presently a popular tourist destination to have a close look at the
ancient Buddhist architecture and culture. These caves exhibit Buddhist ideologies through
inscriptions and stupas.

The Chaitya hall is spectacular with 37 octagonal pillars with a base structure of a water jar
and it has a special feature of the façade screen made out of teak wood. The entrance of the
Chaitya hall is adorned with an arch in the shape of a horse shoe.

Karla caves encloses Buddha viharas, where by the monks were stayed during their
meditation period in the caves. The cave encloses sculptures of elephants adorned with
metal jewelries and ivory tusks.

Valvan Lake
Valavan Lake is one of the beautiful picnic spot in Lonavala. The Valvan Lake is an artificial
lake created by the Valvan Dam built across the Kundali River. The Valvan dam is the
source of water to the Khopali power station. By the side of the lake there is a beautiful
garden with vast expanse of landscaped plains. The Valvan Lake and the surrounding dam
sites and the garden are popular evening relaxation spots.

Ryewood Park
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Ryewood Park
Ryewood Park is a picturesque hang out in the hill station Lonavala and is located very close
to Lonavala market. This Park has plenty of grounds with greenish lawns and playing
grounds for children. The Park is blessed with many varieties of trees which are decades old.
It was a botanical garden and later converted to a Park. The present day garden has many
facilities for merry making and is thriving with many varieties of flowers.

Ryewood Park is a weekend hang out for many families. Children enjoy the playing facilities
in the Park. One can get the pure air in this park.

Lonavla Lake (Monsoon Lake)

Lonavala Lake is also known as Monsoon Lake as it dries up during the winters and gets
filled with gushing water during monsoons. This lake, built around 1876, is a picturesque
picnic spot in Lonavala. This location is gorgeous with natural beauty and scenic
surroundings. The source of the Lonavala Lake is the famous river Indrayani. This lake is a
natural habitat of many water bodies. Many varieties of birds can be spotted over the lake.

Nagphani (Duke's Nose)

Nagphani, later known as Duke’s Nose after Duke Wellington, is a cliff at Khandala near
Lonavala. The Cliff is pointed like a snakes pointed head portion (hood) and hence the name
Nagphani (Nag means snake and phani means hood). The name Dukes’nose is derived as
the cliff looked like the shape of the Duke. This is a marvelous picnic spot nearby Lonavala.

Adventurous trekking is highly essential to reach the Duke’s nose and the view of the
downhill plains from this point is mind boggling.

Bhaja Caves
Bhaja caves, second century old Buddhist caves, in Lonavala is rare Buddhist tourist
destination. These caves encloses 18 rock cut caves constructed by Buddhist nuns and
enshrines many sculptures like a prince in a chariot, a prince seated on an elephant, three
armed warriors and dancing couples. All these sculptures are the specimen of Indian
architectural age and the mastery in sculpturing.

The first cave is believed to be the residential place of the master of the caves, the next ten
caves are Buddhist viharas with one cave contains the Chaitya hall. The rest seven caves
are adorned with inscriptions including the details of the donor. A water fall is also located at
the last of the caves

Visapur Fort
Visapur fort is located at an altitude of nearly 4,000 ft above sea level in Lonavala. One has
to do a real trekking expedition to reach this historical fort. It is believed that the fort is built
centuries back and was thriving with many activities during the rules of many Maratha
dynasties. Chathrapthi Shivaji was using this as a place to watch the movements in the
downhill and the plains.

Presently the fort is in ruins and there is not much structure left in the fort. The scenic
surroundings and the majestic panoramic views of the plains are the best attraction here.

Bushy Dam

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Bushy Dam
Bushy Dam is one of the majestic picnic spots in Lonavala. The Dam is magnificent during
the monsoons with water gushing out through the dam make exhilarating waterfalls. The
Dam is located at the backdrop of scenic hilly terrains and lush green environments.

This is a much sought weekend and vacation destination in Lonavala. Calm environment and
cool atmosphere add the beauty of this site. Swimming is not allowed in this Dam.

Scorpion's Sting (Vinchu Kata)

Scorpion’s Sting, also known as Vinchu Kata, is a long and narrow fortified spur in the region
of the Lohagarh fort which extends westwards of the Lonawala. This is a finger styled
projection of fissure of Lava and the name scorpion’s sting due to its natural shape. The
attractive beauty of the pinnacle of this hilly terrain is worth visiting.

This trail is very fascinating for the nature lovers and trekkers. From this peak one can
descend towards the Visapur fort. The peak offers long views of surrounding plains and lush
green sceneries of the forests.

Lohagad Fort
Lohagarh, literally means Iron fort, is an important hill fort used extensively by Chatrapati
Shivaji. It has a long history and was used by all dynasties who ruled Vidharbha and
Maratha kingdoms. The fort is placed at an altitude of more than 1050 meters. This fort is
situated on the Sahyadri ranges and divides the Pavna basin and Indrayani basin.

The fort site is a fine destination for tourist with interests in architecture, archeology and
history. The actual date of original fort is not clearly known but the known records points out
some additional constructions such as a step well and big tank during eighteenth century.
The ancient fort’s four mammoth gates are still intact and are in good condition.

Morvi Dongar
Morvi Dongar is a fascinating hillock between Tung fort and Devgad. This is at one side of
the Pawna Lake. There are many trekking routes from Morvi to Tung fort and other hilly
ranges in Lonavala.

Morvi Dongar is a jungle region with many varieties trees and flora. This is a natural habitat
of various kinds of bird fauna. Bird watchers can enjoy the days here watching beautiful
birds.

Tung Fort
Tung Fort, also known as Kathingad, is a fort in the peak (tung means peak) and is very
difficult to approach. The fort is in the Mawal region which was ruled by Maratha kings. The
fort is constructed at a height of 3500 feet and about 1200 feet hilly terrain are with steep
ascents.

The Tung fort is a tough and rough adventurous trekking destination. One can start trekking
to Tung fort from Phagne Dam in Pawna River. The tung fort has already ruined and only the
structure left was a temple dedicated to Devi Tungai. There are a lake and a cave at the fort
region. From the pinnacle of the hillock, one can enjoy the majestic views of Laghghar and
Visapur forts.

Pawna Lake

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Pawna Lake
Pawna Lake (Pavna Lake) is an artificial lake formed by the Pawna Dam built across the
Pawna River nearby Lonavala. The lake attracts many tourists due to its imposing natural
ambience and cool climate. From the dam site one can view the majestic sights of Tungi,
Logagarh and Tikona forts.

Tikona Fort
Tikona Fort, also renowned as Vitandgad fort, is a major hill fort in Maval region near the
Lonavala. Tikona fort, literally means triangle fort, had witnessed many dynasties ruled in the
Maratha region. This was the nerve centre of the many activities of entire Malwan Pawna
regions. The small hamlet close to the fort is Tikona peth. The fort’s mammoth entrance is a
special attraction.

The Tikona fort is a great trekking destination for the adventurous tourists. One can get the
eye catching views of the Pawna Dam and the forts at Visaput, Tung and Lohagarh. The fort
encloses a lake, Satvahan caves and the temple of 'Trimbakeshwar Mahadev'.

Koregad Fort
Koregad Fort is an individual fort in a hillock which is not connected to other hills in Lonavala
Region. About one hour trekking expedition is required to reach the top. This hillock is
credited with few ponds and magnificent picturesque landscapes. This fort stands alone with
grandiose solitude. The fort is in ruins and most of the structures of the fort are not visible
nowadays.

One can get eye pleasing views of surrounding hilly terrains and other forts from the peak of
this fort.

Sausage Hills
Sausage Hills is one of the best picnic spots in Lonavala. This pristine hill is covered with dense forests and is the
natural habitat of many varieties of birds. The Sausage hill is the perfect place for hill climbing, bird watching and
trekking. Many trekking trails originate from Sausage hills and leads to other hilly terrains, forts and lakes. From this
hill one can get eye catching views of Pawna Lake and Tunga Fort.

Tungarli Lake
Tungarli Lake is an artificial reservoir in Lonavala. This lake is the major source of water supply to Lonavala city.
There is a dam across the Tungarli Lake. During monsoons the lake fills with water and during summer the scarcity of
water is a common problem.

The Lake is located at scenic surroundings and the well maintained lakeside add the beauty of the place. The garden
near the dam site is a nice location for evening walks and hang outs.

Fishing
Lonavala is the hamlet of the fishing community known as Koli. Lonavala is the nerve-centre of the fishing activities in
the state. The number of Lakes and dam sites make this place a hub of all kinds of fishing activities. The lakes in
Lonavala are thriving with varieties of fish fauna.

Visiting Lonavala will give the tourist the rare opportunity of living among the local fishermen folks and to enjoy their
culture and lifestyles. If you are interested in fun fishing the local fishermen will be more willing to take you for fishing.

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 Current Location India > MaharashtraMap
> Pune

2 mi
Terms of Use
2 km
1. Koli Temple (Aai Ekvira 5. Lonavla Lake (Monsoon 9. Bushy Dam 13. Tung Fort
Temple) Lake) 10. Scorpion's Sting (Vinchu 14. Pawna Lake
2. Karla Caves 6. Nagphani (Duke's Nose) Kata) 15. Tikona Fort
3. Valvan Lake 7. Bhaja Caves 11. Lohagad Fort 16. Koregad Fort
4. Ryewood Park 8. Visapur Fort 12. Morvi Dongar

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